Back on the wagon

the homeschool wagon that is. Today marks our 1st official back-to-homeschool day. I was a little completely and irrationally freaked over the idea of being fully responsible for my children and their education again 24 hrs a day 7 days a week. I was selfishly enjoying some of the quiet time I had while they were at school. And I felt a little guilty about pulling them out of school mid-year. But we are at heart a homeschool family. We prayed about it for a long time. It boils down to the fact that we feel we have been led to homeschool. We think know it is what is best for us as a family. We love it (most days that is) . Don’t get me wrong, homeschooling can feel like an insurmountable task at times, especially when you are taking on multiple grades at once. But the rewards are unimaginable. The potential for the relationship that you can build with your child is priceless. I swear my 10 year old tweenagers’ usual sullen self has already dissipated. On a scale of 1 to 10, her attitude has gone from a 14 to a 3. Honestly, a little shocked. I really thought she was just turning into a royal brat. It seems there is hope after all. She has been attached to me at the hip since school let of for the holidays. Which is cool, because she is a cool kid. I am unashamedly trying to brainwash her into believing that I really am a cool mom. Yes, I even volunteered to teach a college age bible class just so that my daughter could see me hanging out with cool older kids. No, not really, but it does move me up on the coolness factor.(in her eyes) Undoubtedly I will end up being “stupid and not knowing anything” but I hope that I will continue to have her trust enough that she may listen a little.

Also:

The baby seems a lot happier with everyone at home the last couple of weeks, although she isn’t able to sleep near as much. Too much excitement.

Its really nice to be able to fix them healthy meals all day AND know what they are actually eating….and drinking. Plus since we just re- veganized our diet they are not going to be subjected to any lunchroom ridicule. Except maybe from our friends that think we are a little crazy, even slightly eclectic. Not the run-don’t-walk-to-the-nearest-exit eclectic, but the in-a-cute-endearing-way, ecclectic. I think..

I didn’t realize how much I missed snuggling on the couch for our afternoon reading time. Even the older ones still loved it. Later my 10 year old read to the 2 and 4 year old for about a half an hour(without me asking) while I was cooking, it was so sweet. I loved listening in on this moment. I am so proud.

We don’t have to rush around all day. Need I say more?

Tomorrow we are going on a field trip to see The Tale of Desperaux. In the middle of the day. With matinée prices. The book, incidentally has been my 8 year old’s favorite for the last year.

Today was a good day. I am sure there will be some very soon that I am ranting and raving and pulling out my rapidly graying hair, just counting the minutes to bed time but not today, today was good.

OH AND

For you homeschool mom’s, I ran across this link www.internet4classrooms.com I fully recommend you check it out. It looks a little hokey when you first get there but hang in there, it has a TON of free lessons that are really, really good. There is a section where it is broken into subjects and then in to grades. And it has online free activities for the kids to do. It is really intended for Tn classrooms but let me know what YOU think.